Feist has been working at Essex since 2012, initially as head of community and cricket operations. He was promoted to deputy chief executive before Stephenson’s departure, then named general manager during a restructure of the club’s hierarchy, understood to be due to the club’s straitened financial position.

Last year, Essex were also one of eight counties to win Tier 1 status for their women’s team, as part of the ECB’s revamped domestic structure for women’s cricket.

Feist said: “I’m deeply honoured and excited in equal measure to take on the role of chief Executive. This is a club that has become a significant part of my life, and it means a great deal to me.

“I am passionate about cricket at all levels in Essex and the region, from increasing participation opportunities for all members of our community, to ensuring all our squads are in the best position to challenge for trophies.

“We have a strong, hard-working group of staff already in place, and competitive squads ready to take to the field, and it is my role to maintain the high standards that Essex Cricket has already set itself.

“In partnership with the Boards, we have a clear vision of becoming the number one cricket region, and I am eager to play a role in ensuring we can achieve that.

“At this incredibly exciting time, with our newly-professional women’s side joining us, I believe we have the right people and the right culture to continue to drive Essex and the entire, wider region forward.”